July 31, 2006

The undistinguished garden hose has been one of my favorite teaching props of late. I like to imagine that well-being flows freely through our bodies, like water through an unimpeded hose.

Too often, our focus is on the task ahead of us and we assume that what comes out of the hose will be consistent and continuous.When our flow of well-being diminishes, we call in a specialist to find the physical cause (kink) of restriction. Emotionally, we might also look around us to see if someone or something is draining our supply.

Our beliefs dictate how we view and move through life. Notice the difference when you alter simple statements about work, as in this article from Monster, the largest internet job search engine. Some researchers are also saying that a change in emotional states, will alter brain perception. Laughter, can even change the way your brain works.

So which statements feel better? (a) Health and well-being come with the luck of the draw and the older you get, the less you have. There's nothing you can do about it. Or, (b) Health and well-being are flowing continuously through me and when I don't feel good, I immediately look for the resistance, alter my course, and allow well-being to flow.

I'm not advocating self-diagnosis or denial of symptoms if you are currently being challenged. Just the suggestion that you look at your beliefs about health. Because all of the vitamins,special diets and medications in the world, are no match for the beliefs: "health has to be earned", "there's only so much of it to go around", and "if I fail to do this I'll get some dreaded disease".

Going back to the garden hose analogy, the fatalistic gardener waters her garden in hopes that she will be granted a bed of roses. If and when the water supply diminishes, she might tug and fuss or beat the hose into submission. She may even give up her dream of roses and opt for a rock garden. Not that there's anything wrong with a rock garden, it's just not what she wanted.

The self-responsible gardener knows that the water is turned on and flowing, in full force. He's aware of any change in pressure and makes adjustments to the hose before the flow diminishes or before he gets too far from the kink. He chooses to allow for a smooth flow.

The master gardener however, believes that there need not be any obstruction to the flow from source to rose bed. She has an abundance mind-set and has laid down a permanent hose to the rose bed. Through her belief experience, the gardener, the hose, the water, and the flower bed are all part of the same action and result.

July 25, 2006

I've had some response to yesterday's post and thought I should include some information on choosing the right oil. There is concern of fish being contaminated with mercury, PCBs, lead, etc., so be sure the oil you buy has been distilled. I bought a bottle of Spectrum Fish Oil from the health food store in Keauhou. Probably because of the prominent "NO mercury,lead,PCB" wording, in red, on the label.

For more information and a comparative chart, you might find this page from David Servan-Schrieber's web site helpful: http://www.instincttoheal.org/article.php3?id_article=55. As he notes, many of the formulas have been prepared for cardiovascular concerns. The requirements differ for uses linked to anxiety, stress or depression. Hope this helps.

July 24, 2006

As I mentioned in today's newsletter, fish oil has literally been on my mind. Barry Sears has been prescribing it for years as a part of his Zone diet. Many people used the Zone diet for weight loss and dropped it, along with a few pounds, before witnessing the benefits it might have on their brains.

Backed by recent studies, more doctors are willing to recommend diets rich in Omega 3 oils, and supplements are now widely available. In this country, 1 out of 8 people have used antidepressants in the past 7 years and there are more 'just say, yes' commercials on tv than not! So when western medicine begins to look at nutrition to cure depression, it makes me happy!

READING MATERIAL:

Barry Sears' explanation of how and why essential fatty acids work. If you're like me, you would prefer the long story vs. the bottom line on health products.

July 10, 2006

Look at what Krista does when she's waiting for the perfect wave! A headstand on her surfboard. Photographer Rudy Martinez, has beautifully captured many Big Island scenes and people, displaying them on his website.

This Saturday, Krista's holding an Art and Asanaworkshop: a day of creativity and yoga for expectant moms. Doula, Krista Olson, will be the co-presenter for this one-day course to be held from 1-5pm at Kona Yoga.

July 03, 2006

"How we carry trauma forward throughout our lives can often be the real injury," Matthew Sanford told Nina Utne during an interview for Utne Magazine. A paraplegic since an auto accident at the age of 13, Sanford is an example of the spirit that outshines and outlasts our physical form.

"Trauma requires me to acknowledge that my life has been harsh. Does it hurt? Yes. At the same time, I'm desperately in love with living, with the gift of life. Healing trauma calls on us to honor the life force and not be destructive with it. Does this feeling come from sadness, too? Yes, it's both. Simultaneously, I am heartbroken and desperately in love."